BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

16/04/2007

Indian leaders call on visiting Belarus President

From our ANI Correspondent

New Delhi, Apr.16: Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, who is in India on a two-day visit, met Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday.

The leaders discussed several matters of bilateral and international importance.

Later in the day, industry ministers of the two countries are expected to sign six agreements for strengthening bilateral trade in areas, including steel, machine tools and heavy mining equipment.

Lukashenko will review bilateral relations and discuss issues of international and mutual interest with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday.

The focus of Lukashenko's visit is to boost scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries. A bilateral protocol on the accession of Belarus to the WTO is also expected to be signed during the visit.

India and Belarus are celebrating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. India was one of the first countries to recognize Belarus as an independent country after the break up of Soviet Union in 1991.

In turn, the Republic of Belarus has been supportive of India's candidature for a permanent seat in an expanded United Nations Security Council.

Source:

http://www.dailyindia.com/show/133997.php/Indian-leaders-call-on-visiting-Belarus-President